How to Register a Boat in Texas If You Have Lost the Title

The state of Texas issues duplicate titles for boat owners who lose their originals.

If you own a boat in Texas, your registration expires every two years. To re-register your boat, you must present both the title and registration. A lost title makes this process difficult, but not impossible. Your can apply for a duplicate title at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. If there is a lien on your boat, the lender also must sign off on a duplicate title..

Instructions

1. Download the Parks and Wildlife Department's "Vessel Records Maintenance" form, PWD 143M. Complete Sections A through D, and Section K-1. If there is a lien on the boat, the lender must complete and sign Section S of the form. the signature of the lender's representative must be notarized.

2. Turn in the completed form PWD 143M to the Austin Headquarters of the TPWD, a TPWD Law Enforcement field office, or to a County Tax Assessor-Collector who accepts and processes boat title applications in person. No identification is required.

3. Pay the application fee. Fees can change. The state provides a list of fees online, via telephone (800-262-­8755), at the department's Austin headquarters or at any of the department's 28 law enforcement offices. Note that some county tax assessor-collector offices also participate in the TPWD registration program.

Tips & Warnings

• TPWD's Austin headquarters prepares replacement titles 21 days after processing, unless you pay an additional fee for a "quick title." A quick title is mailed from the department's Austin headquarters one day after processing.

References

• TPWD: Boat Registration and Titles

Resources

• Texas Parks and Wildlife Department: Vessel/Boat Records Maintenance (PWD 143M)
• TPWD Current Fees